What motivated this young Native American girl to adopt the Englishman John Smith? Was it her compassionate nature that saved him and the other strangers from starving at Jamestown? Was it compassion or resolve that drove her to marry another Englishman, John Rolfe, cultivating the seeds of change in the New World? That time was known as the Peace of Pocahontas and it was as painfully short-lived as her life; she died at the age of 21 in England, promoting the American colonies.
"I" IS FOR INCLUSION:
THE PORTRAYAL OF NATIVE AMERICANS IN BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Program of the ALA/OLOS Subcommittee for Library Services to American Indian People
American Indian Library Association
American Indian Children's Literature: Identifying and Celebrating the Good
Washington, D.C., June 23, 2007
Zemlicka, Shannon. Pocahontas. Illustrations by Jeni Reeves. On My Own Biography series.
Carolrhoda Books, 2002. ISBN: 08976145985 (Grades 3-5)
Overview of the life of Pocahontas. The Author’s Note and Afterword stress that the little that is known about Pocahontas is filtered through the foreign eyes of the English. Illustrations (color drawings) are plain but generally accurate. Includes a brief chronology and select bibliography of adult books. Generally evenhanded and honest.
Pocahontas
By Shannon Zemlicka
Illustrated by Jeni Reeves
Carolrhoda Books © 2002
Hardcover: 0-87614-598-5
Paperback: 0-87614-906-9
For Ages 6-8
